Hard Surface Flooring or Carpets...........
For the longest time I've wondered which surface is Greener.....and healthier when comparing Carpets to Hard Surface floors. I feel that I have finally made my decision, but let's take a closer look and let you decide. In trying to keep this just about the surfaces themselves, I'll avoid the manufacturing, extracting and recycling of these as we could debate for months on this..... First, let's take a look at Hard Surface Floors.
When I say Hard Surface Flooring, I'm referring to, basically, any flooring that is not carpeted. Wood floors, Ceramic, VCT, Terrazzo, Natural Stone, etc. are all examples of this and I will refer to these as Hard Floors from here on out. Hard floors, from my cleaning point of view, are slightly easier to maintain......that is, a good dust mopping or vacuuming with a back-pack vacuum and a thorough mopping and they are kept in good condition for many months. Advancements in Microfiber technology have allowed for equipment that attract more dirt while using Microfiber dust mops and mop heads and Green Cleaning solutions have come a long way from the orange smelling, do little cleaners of the past.
Yet, with any type of flooring, Hard Floors do need additional attention to help maintain a pristine look and reduce wear and tear on the surface itself and, it's hard to argue that a well maintained Hard Surface floor will long outlast any carpeted floor. But....as far as allergies and helping to maintain a healthy indoor environment are concerned.......let's think about this......I'm sure we've all encountered those little "dust bunnies" before. Those little creatures that pile up in corners and under shelves, etc.. They accumulate in those areas because of air flow and a lack of surface to trap them.,,,,,many can be like a skating rink! Without being trapped or removed, they are free to roam a home or office until being removed. Basically, we would have to dust mop, HEPA vacuum and mop Hard Surfaces constantly to help keep a healthy indoor environment.......which, is unsafe for your clients and family, and probably not very financially viable.
Now let's take a look at carpets.......basically, a nightmare for Environmental Technicians! A nightmare in the fact that it takes longer to vacuum thoroughly, spot cleaning and requires more frequent extraction (steam cleaning as many will call it). Carpets have long been considered a bane for both cleaners and owners....in fact, I have known many people that will hold off on having their carpets cleaned for the basic fact that carpets get dirty faster after having been cleaned, than ones that have not been cleaned. True to some extent....maybe with 2nd and 3rd generation carpets (that's another conversation) but advancements in carpet technology, green cleaning solutions and proper rinsing techniques can easily put that to rest ( did you know that a majority of carpeting is made right here in America....Dalton, Georgia, USA!!! )! Also, carpets do not last as long as Hard Surface floors, mat down....especially with furniture on them and high traffic areas wear out faster leaving an unpleasant visual aspect that, and without proper care, needs to be replaced sooner....meaning replace the whole carpet!
So, let's take a look at the healthy aspects of a carpet. Carpets are much more designed (not originally) to trap allergens than hard surface floors....just looking at it will tell the tale!! All the spaces and weaves....may not attract but will hold dirt and allergens until they are properly HEPA vacuumed out of the carpet and removed from the area......of course a more frequent vacuuming will remove more allergens and dirt......but just being able to hold these particles until being removed, seems much better for indoor air quality than having it "free roam" about a home or office.
We'll leave this for you to decide.....I think my minds made up! But no matter which way you chose....Go Green and remember...
We don't inherit the Earth form our Ancestors.........we borrow it from our children...........
When I say Hard Surface Flooring, I'm referring to, basically, any flooring that is not carpeted. Wood floors, Ceramic, VCT, Terrazzo, Natural Stone, etc. are all examples of this and I will refer to these as Hard Floors from here on out. Hard floors, from my cleaning point of view, are slightly easier to maintain......that is, a good dust mopping or vacuuming with a back-pack vacuum and a thorough mopping and they are kept in good condition for many months. Advancements in Microfiber technology have allowed for equipment that attract more dirt while using Microfiber dust mops and mop heads and Green Cleaning solutions have come a long way from the orange smelling, do little cleaners of the past.
Yet, with any type of flooring, Hard Floors do need additional attention to help maintain a pristine look and reduce wear and tear on the surface itself and, it's hard to argue that a well maintained Hard Surface floor will long outlast any carpeted floor. But....as far as allergies and helping to maintain a healthy indoor environment are concerned.......let's think about this......I'm sure we've all encountered those little "dust bunnies" before. Those little creatures that pile up in corners and under shelves, etc.. They accumulate in those areas because of air flow and a lack of surface to trap them.,,,,,many can be like a skating rink! Without being trapped or removed, they are free to roam a home or office until being removed. Basically, we would have to dust mop, HEPA vacuum and mop Hard Surfaces constantly to help keep a healthy indoor environment.......which, is unsafe for your clients and family, and probably not very financially viable.
Now let's take a look at carpets.......basically, a nightmare for Environmental Technicians! A nightmare in the fact that it takes longer to vacuum thoroughly, spot cleaning and requires more frequent extraction (steam cleaning as many will call it). Carpets have long been considered a bane for both cleaners and owners....in fact, I have known many people that will hold off on having their carpets cleaned for the basic fact that carpets get dirty faster after having been cleaned, than ones that have not been cleaned. True to some extent....maybe with 2nd and 3rd generation carpets (that's another conversation) but advancements in carpet technology, green cleaning solutions and proper rinsing techniques can easily put that to rest ( did you know that a majority of carpeting is made right here in America....Dalton, Georgia, USA!!! )! Also, carpets do not last as long as Hard Surface floors, mat down....especially with furniture on them and high traffic areas wear out faster leaving an unpleasant visual aspect that, and without proper care, needs to be replaced sooner....meaning replace the whole carpet!
So, let's take a look at the healthy aspects of a carpet. Carpets are much more designed (not originally) to trap allergens than hard surface floors....just looking at it will tell the tale!! All the spaces and weaves....may not attract but will hold dirt and allergens until they are properly HEPA vacuumed out of the carpet and removed from the area......of course a more frequent vacuuming will remove more allergens and dirt......but just being able to hold these particles until being removed, seems much better for indoor air quality than having it "free roam" about a home or office.
We'll leave this for you to decide.....I think my minds made up! But no matter which way you chose....Go Green and remember...
We don't inherit the Earth form our Ancestors.........we borrow it from our children...........
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